Resubmit failed or missing project
1 x 7000 word for prose, or between 280 and 420 lines of poetry or pro-rata for mixed portfolios. A Portfolio of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry or a mixture of genres

60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Plan an extended piece of creative work.

2. Plan and carry out appropriate research for a creative writing project

3. Explain their plans in writing, placing them in a critical and theoretical context

Aims

To develop the skills of planning, research and long-term work necessary for extended projects, and to encourage independent working practices.

Brief description

The Writing Project is the culmination of students’ undergraduate courses in Creative Writing, and corresponds to the Dissertation in the BA English Literature. They will work on a creative project of their own design over a full year, and will need to take a more independent and ambitious approach than in other assignments. Lectures and seminars at the beginning of semester one will introduce them to the planning and research necessary for the project. At the end of week two, they will be asked to submit an outline plan. They will then be assigned a supervisor, with whom you will have one-to-one tutorials. The first assignment will consist of an essay/detailed plan on the project. In the second semester they will workshop their writing, have further one-to-one tutorials and submit their creative portfolio.

Content

Week 1
Lecture: Ideas, Inspiration, Creativity. The theory and practice of creativity, including examples from the work of well-known writers and practical advice on the kind of projects students may decide to undertake.
Seminar: Inspiration games. Tutor and students share their own experiences of creativity. Students are given exercises to stimulate ideas.

Week 2
Lecture: Planning Your Project. The many ways in which a creative project can be planned, again using examples from the work of well-known writers. Problems that may arise, and how to deal with them.
Seminar: Discussion of Plans. Students should now have drafts of their plans, which will be discussed in class before submission at the end of this week.

Week 3
Lecture: Researching your Project. Research methodologies, using libraries, online facilities and practical research through interviews etc. Ethical implications of these.
Seminar: Discussion of Research. Students share their research plans and discuss possible approaches to their research.

Week 4
Lecture: Keeping Going. The different stages of a literary project, including examples from well-known writers. Writers' blocks and what to do about them.
Seminar: Drafting, Unblocking, Changing Course. Students are given examples and exercises designed to test their ability to solve creative and technical problems.